Published March 31, 2024
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) helped Czech counter-intelligence expose a pro-Russian network of influence on MEPs in Prague, sources have told Ukrinform.
In the run-up to the June election to the European Parliament, Czech counter-intelligence exposed a pro-Russian network of influence on MEPs in Prague, which was run by Viktor Medvedchuk, an ally of Vladimir Putin, the sources said.
The pro-Russian network paid politicians to praise Russia and Putin in the European media. It also published anti-Ukrainian and anti-European materials on its website called “Voice of Europe.”
According to the sources, the activity of the network was aimed at bringing as many pro-Russian politicians as possible to the European Parliament.
In addition, a number of European politicians who were supporters of Putin have now suffered a serious blow, as many MEPs are demanding a thorough investigation into Russian influence and punishment for “colleagues” who received Russian money.
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SOURCE: www.ukrinform.net
RELATED: The Czech Republic has exposed a propaganda network in the EU called Voice of Europe. Vladimir Putin’s confidant, Viktor Medvedchuk, is involved in it
Published March 29, 2024
Prague, Czech Republic (Svidomi) — The Czech government has imposed sanctions on the Voice of Europe media outlet as part of Russia’s information influence operation. Viktor Medvedchuk, a confidant of Vladimir Putin, is involved in this. He has been promoting Russian interests in Ukraine for years, for which he is suspected of treason. In April 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine detained Medvedchuk. In September 2022, Medvedchuk was exchanged for the commanders of the units that defended Mariupol in the spring of 2022.
Czech journalists have found that the Prague-based news portal Voice of Europe has been spreading narratives to persuade the European Union to stop helping Ukraine. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) found that the pro-Russian propaganda network was conducting activities that “have serious consequences for the security of the Czech Republic and the EU”. “The Voice of Europe campaigned against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
The media outlet is active on social media, such as Facebook and X, with over 180,000 followers.
The Czech Republic suspects Viktor Medvedchuk and his propagandist partner, Artem Marchevsky, are involved in this media outlet. Therefore, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has imposed sanctions on them.
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SOURCE: www.svidomi.in.ua
RELATED: Russian network that ‘paid European politicians’ busted, authorities claim
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said members of the European Parliament had been paid by the network
Published March 28, 2024
A Russian-backed “propaganda” network has been broken up for spreading anti-Ukraine stories and paying unnamed European politicians, according to authorities in several countries.
Investigators claimed it used the popular Voice of Europe website as a vehicle to pay politicians.
The Czech Republic and Poland said the network aimed to influence European politics.
Voice of Europe did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
Czech media, citing intelligence sources, reported that politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary were paid by Voice of Europe in order to influence upcoming elections for the European Parliament.
The German newspaper Der Spiegel said the money was either handed over in cash in covert meetings in Prague or through cryptocurrency exchanges.
Pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk is alleged by the Czech Republic to be behind the network.
Mr Medvedchuk was arrested in Ukraine soon after the Russian invasion, but later transferred to Russia with about 50 prisoners of war in exchange for 215 Ukrainians.
Czech authorities also named Artyom Marchevsky, alleging he managed the day-to-day business of the website. Both men were sanctioned by Czech authorities.
Poland’s intelligence agency said it had conducted searches in the Warsaw and Tychy regions and seized €48,500 (£41,500) and $36,000 (£28,500).
“Money from Moscow has been used to pay some political actors who spread Russian propaganda,” BIS said in a statement.
